[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E278-E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN TRIBUTE TO FATHER ROBERT F. DRINAN: MAN OF GOD, POLITICAL LEADER, 
                              AND EDUCATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Father Robert F. Drinan, his enduring faith, and lifelong commitment to 
human rights. Father Drinan passed on January 28, 2007, at his 
residence in the Georgetown University Jesuit community in Washington, 
DC. He was 86 years old and had recently been ill with pneumonia and 
congestive heart failure.
  Father Drinan was an unwavering defender of the civil and human 
rights of all Americans. His commitment to these principles was 
anchored by his religious conviction and a fundamental belief in the 
rights of all people to be respected and protected by their governments 
and elected leaders. It was this conviction that led Father Drinan to 
politics in 1970 when he sought a seat in the U.S. House of 
Representatives. During his tenure in Congress, Father Drinan was an 
outspoken opponent of the Vietnam war and was the first person to call 
for the impeachment of President Nixon. Father Drinan was re-elected 
four times, serving from 1971 until 1981. He stepped down in accordance 
with a directive from Pope John Paul II, barring priests from holding 
public office.
  Father Drinan was the first Roman Catholic priest to serve as a 
voting member of the U.S. Congress. I had the honor of serving with him 
on the Judiciary Committee during the Watergate proceedings. He was a 
man of deep convictions, a passionate leader and a good friend. Long 
after he left Congress, Father Drinan continued to be a vocal supporter 
of human rights. Through his words and his actions he demanded morality 
in our political leadership. Ever committed to his work, Father Drinan 
spent the past 21 years as a professor at the Georgetown Law Center 
where he focused on legal ethics and international human rights.
  We all mourn the loss of Father Robert F. Drinan, a man who committed 
his life to standing up for what he believed. He will be greatly 
missed.

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